The "Belt and Road" initiative is a chorus of all participating countries, not China’s own solo, said Zhang Yunling, Dean of International Studies Department of Chinese Academy of Social Science Friday.
The initiative reflects the common aspiration of countries along the routes and its implementation will bring huge benefits to Asia and the rest of the world, added Zhang in an exclusive interview with Xinhuanet.
This initiative is a great plan, open to and commonly developed by, all participating countries, added Zhang, which is different from the Marshal Plan -- a sort of one-sided financial aid from the United States to Europe.
Besides, he said, China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will serve not only the construction of infrastructure in Asia, but also the "Belt and Road" initiative, with extensive ways of financing, like the public-private-partnerships.
He believed, participating in the AIIB program will bring real benefit to these European countries and inject momentum to their economy.
What Japan and the U.S. doubt over the AIIB holds no water, said Zhang, noting the AIIB is complementary not contradictory to the current international economic organizations like the World Bank.
